Buffalo Bill

Born William Frederick Cody in Iowa in 1846, Buffalo Bill became famous through a mix of real frontier work and larger-than-life storytelling. He spent time as a rider, scout, and hunter, and his experiences on the Plains helped build the public image that would follow him for the rest of his life.

That image grew even bigger when novels, stage shows, and especially Buffalo Bill's Wild West made him an international celebrity. The spectacle blended riding, shooting, historical scenes, and dramatic performances, bringing versions of the American West to audiences across the United States and Europe.

He died in 1917, but the character of Buffalo Bill never really disappeared. Part historical figure and part self-made myth, he remains one of the best-known symbols of the American frontier and of the early age of mass entertainment.